Ralph A. Marallo Sr.

Ralph Anthony Marallo, nee Raphael Antonio Marallo, recently passed from his loved ones on Tuesday, December 6, 2005. Ralph loved and adored his wife Virginia for the 61 years of their marriage. He was born in immigrant parents, Carmine and Maria Consiglia Caputi Marallo, who instilled a great sense of pride, a strong work ethic, and encouraged him to become all that he could in their new country. Ralph graduated from Peekskill High School with Honors and later received a full scholarship to Alfred University where he played football and received his Bachelor's Degree with Honors in Electrical Engineering. While in training, Ralph designed an important tool to test the, then new, automatic transmission in cars. he worked in his field; was part of the National Guard; and owned his own business, Marallo Motors. He was an insurance salesman and also worked in real estate. Most notably, he worked in public housing for most of his career. He was Assistant Director of Urban Renewal and later, Executive Director of Community Development for the City of Kingston. He was instrumental in supporting the Pike Plan with covered walkways and sidewalks for the revitalization of uptown Kingston. He also obtained numerous Federal and State grants for the renovation and revitalization of the Strand and other housing projects. Ralph was known and respected in Washington, D.C. where he occasionally traveled to get funding for local housing projects. A former commissioner of the Kingston Human Right's Commission, Ralph was named 'Man of the Year' by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in 1990. He received numerous accolades and awards of recognition for his work and community service over the course of his life. Ralph always encouraged his family and others to do their best, work hard, and keep sight of their goals. He strongly believed in education, community service, and dedication to work and achievement. His greatest joy was his family. Ralph served as Grand Knight of Kingston Council #275, Knights of Columbus and a member of the Fourth Degree Assembly and Color Guard. He was a parishioner, member of the Holy Name Society and lectored at St. Mary's Church. He served as Grand Counselor of the United Commercial Travelers. His younger sister Florence Serino died previously, as did a younger brother Donald in childhood. In addition to his wife, Virginia, Ralph is survived by seven children, Ralph and his partner Jeanette of Saugerties, Clinton of Shokan, Thomas and his wife Mary of Colebrook, NH, Donald and his fiance Doreen of Kingston, Consiglia and her husband Anthony of Clinton Corners, Andrew of Ulster Park and Adria of Kingston. Surviving are his two sisters Priscilla Picarello of Peekskill and Marie Vanca of Florida; four brothers Gerald of Florida, John of Shrub Oak, Joseph of Mahopac and Edward of Albuquerque, NM; seventeen grandchildren Jenel, Adriana, Renata, Matthew, Hilary, Leah, Anthony, Nicholas, Gabrielle, Ashley, Jessica, Andrew, Alexandra, Karlee, Robert, Elena and Juliana; three great grandchildren Bradley, Evan and Reese, many nieces and nephews. Reposing at the Simpson - Gaus Funeral Home, 411 Albany Avenue on Friday 2-4 and 7-9 AM. The Knights of Columbus will conduct a prayer service on Friday at 7:30 PM. The Fouth Degree Color Guard will be guards of honor on Friday evening. The funeral will be Saturday at 10:15 AM from the funeral home. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Mary's Church at 11:00 AM. Interment will be in St. Mary's Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Foundation, PO Box 31160, Hartford, CT 06150.